Inflation-Adjusted Returns Calculator
See what your investment is really worth after inflation — the difference between what your account balance shows and what it can actually buy.
Value in Today's Purchasing Power
Your money grows to ₹54,73,566 nominally, but that's only worth this much in today's rupees after 15 years of 6% inflation.
| Year | Nominal Value | Real Value (Today's ₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Year 2 | ₹12,54,400 | ₹11,16,412 |
| Year 4 | ₹15,73,519 | ₹12,46,375 |
| Year 6 | ₹19,73,823 | ₹13,91,467 |
| Year 8 | ₹24,75,963 | ₹15,53,450 |
| Year 10 | ₹31,05,848 | ₹17,34,289 |
| Year 12 | ₹38,95,976 | ₹19,36,181 |
| Year 14 | ₹48,87,112 | ₹21,61,574 |
| Year 15 | ₹54,73,566 | ₹22,83,928 |
Uses the Fisher equation: real rate = (1 + nominal) ÷ (1 + inflation) − 1. This is why a "safe" 7% FD can actually lose you purchasing power if inflation runs at 6-7% — the real return is close to zero.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between nominal and real returns?
Nominal return is the percentage growth your investment shows on paper. Real return adjusts that for inflation, showing what your money is actually worth in today's purchasing power. A 7% FD with 6% inflation has a real return of roughly just 1%.
How is the real rate of return calculated?
Using the Fisher equation: real rate = (1 + nominal rate) ÷ (1 + inflation rate) − 1. This is more accurate than simply subtracting inflation from the nominal rate, especially at higher rates.
Why does this matter for retirement planning?
If your investments only match inflation, your purchasing power stays flat despite the account balance growing. Beating inflation by a meaningful margin (i.e., a positive real return) is what actually builds wealth over time — this is a key reason equity is often favored over fixed deposits for long-term goals.